SPELLBINDING: Ursuline Thurles hold their first Christmas carol service in three years

The two Ursuline choirs, Cecelian and Chamber, and Senior Orchestra members gathered in the Sr Ursula Memorial Hall on Wednesday, December 14, for a feast of Christmas music, song and prayerful reflection.

The first live Carol Service in three years left the audience spellbound.

Well done to the Music department, who put together a wide-ranging repertoire of classic hymns and lesser-known but equally beautiful Christmas songs.

The service was opened by Chamber Choir, who sang Jerusalem while dotted around the Sports Hall holding electric tea lights in the darkened room.

The power of their acapella in the candlelight was a very powerful beginning to the service. Chamber Choir were joined by the Orchestra and Cecelian Choir for the uplifting Oh Come All ye Faithful.

Abigail Tillyer, Sixth Year, sang an eloquent version of Liam Lawton’s The Maiden and the Child accompanied by Rebekah Smith on low whistle and Roisin Duffy, Mairead O’ Brien Grainne O’ Donnell and Patsy Norton on strings. Luke’s Gospel of the birth of Jesus was read by Emma Moran, with First Year students delivering the prayers of the faithful. Christmas-themed poems were recited by Aoibh Quinn, Thérèse Taafe, and Nadine Slattery.

Other classic songs to lift the heart and spread the Christmas joy included Silent Night, Oh Holy Night and Mary’s Boy Child.

The finale was Go Tell it on the Mountain, sung by both choirs accompanied by Senior Orchestra.

The night was a resounding success thanks to the very talented singers, musicians and readers of the Ursuline but also due to the enormous efforts of Ms Joan Butler and Ms Deborah Quinn, Music teachers, who prepared the students and put together a very moving selection of Christmas music and song.

Contributed to School Days in the Tipperary Star.